For the first time in a long time, Wilder is having a really rough bed-time right now. Matthew and I would like to go to bed ourselves but Wilder’s in full conniption mode and we’re trading off turns putting him back in his room and in bed ever 3 minutes or so. I’m not sure he’s even fully awake anymore but that’s not stopping him from staggering out into the hallway to wail and sob about needing water or being scared or wanting the dog. We’ve been on the escalation path since about 9:30 (it’s now 11:15). He’s going to be one pooped kid in the morning.

The past few months have been equally rough and wonderful. Wilder continues to grow into the most amazing kid ever. Matthew and I are constantly remarking to each other about how grown up and competent he’s becoming. And then there have been a lot of moments like tonight where we witness the emotional toll Wilder takes from all that growing and reaching and pushing. At least that’s my theory. Every growth spurt (physical or developmental) seems to be accompanied by an equivalent jag of bad behavior.

In addition to normally going to bed by himself (a HUGE deal for this hugely attached kid), he’s been sleeping through the night without wetting the bed, dressing himself most mornings, acquiring tons of new vocabulary and phrases, doing mazes and dot-to-dot puzzles, reading numbers and letters, and getting ever faster and more proficient on two wheels.

He’s also been extremely interested in babies and how they are made and when Matthew and I are going to make another one. His best friend is now a big brother and Wilder is extremely jealous even though I’ve explained at length that babies are a big pain in the butt and will steal all the attention. Here’s a conversation from the other night…

Wilder: Mom, when are then… what are those swimmy things called?

Chantrelle: Sperm?

Wilder: When are the sperm going to swim up your vagina and make a baby?

Chantrelle: Well, when daddy and I decide to put them there.

Wilder: Where are they now?

Chantrelle: Inside daddy.

W: Put them there now!

C: No, not yet.

W: Why not???

C: I’m just not quite ready to have another baby yet.

W: Well, I know! I have a great idea!! When you are quite ready, you can make a little baby and I can share my room with him. He can sleep with me in my room!

C: What if it’s a little girl?

W: Yeah, she can too.

C: Well, you know babies wake up a lot at night. You sure you want a baby in your room that cries all night?

W: I know! If she wakes up at night and cries, I’ll get up and say “shhhhh, it's okay, go back to sleep, baby.” And I’ll rock her for a little bit and then get back in my own bed.

C: That’s really sweet of you, Wilder. Why do you want a baby so bad? Is it because Gavin’s a big brother and you want to be like him?

W: Well, if I had a brother he could play cars with me, or puppet show, or Ninja Turtles or... anything. I like you guys a lot. Mom and dad are best. But I want a friend.

C: Wow, Wilder. You are really good at explaining how you feel! I'm really glad you told me all that so I know why it's important to you.

W: So, can you make that baby now?

Well, maybe not just now. I leave for Burning Man in 2 days, after all. Anyone who’s been keeping up with the photostream this summer knows we’ve been too busy for making babies. Those hoping for more grandkids or whatever better start hoping for a crappy snowboarding season this winter or something else to mess with this parents-of-a-big-kid lifestyle that I'm finding difficult to even think about giving up.

Ah. All seems to finally be quiet on the bedroom front. And its only 11:35pm!